2012 Ford Explorer Engine Problems
- 66
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 66 stored complaint records:
- 0 indicate a crash
- 0 indicate injury
- 2 indicate fire
What owners report
- failure mileage · 10 records
- check engine · 8 records
- throttle body · 7 records
- notified failure · 7 records
- accelerator pedal · 6 records
- indicator illuminated · 6 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 30–60k mi | 26 |
| 60–100k mi | 14 |
| 1–30k mi | 10 |
| 100–150k mi | 5 |
| 150–400k mi | 1 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Engine
Vehicle overheated without warning leaving me stranded on a deserted highway. After speaking with a mechanic and having them come to the vehicles location and performing a visual inspection he stated antifreeze was leaking from the water pump. The vehicle was taken to a local ford dealer and upon completing a diagnostic check they confirmed the 'internal' water pump had failed without warning. I was contacted 5…
ODI 11307838
Engine
I have coolant leaking, i took it to a shop to be diagnosed and was told that it would cost over $2,000 since the water pump is in the front of the engine, there is only 132,000 miles on my car and i shouldn't be having this issue!!
ODI 11301304
Engine · Power Train · Steering
CAR WON'T GO INTO PARK
ODI 11241162
Engine
I have an exhaust smell coming from my vents. This odor is present in the front and back seats of the car. It is present when the vehicle is in motion, as well as when it is stationary. It happens at random times and can happen while driving at a slower rate, and while driving at high speeds. The dealership cannot identify the source of the smell.
ODI 11173547
Engine · Power Train · Vehicle Speed Control
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford explorer. The contact stated that the throttle body assembly was faulty. When the contact depressed the accelerator pedal, the vehicle would not accelerate. The contact pulled the vehicle over and it started shaking. When the contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, it operated normally. Sames ford ([redacted], corpus christi, tx 78415, [redacted]) diagnosed that the throttle…
ODI 11165600
Engine
When trying to make an unprotected left turn at a stop sign, i pressed the gas and my car didn't move for a couple of seconds once it dod move it took a few more seconds for it to accelerate quickly to safely make my turn. The oncoming traffic in the lane i was crossing over for the turn had to brake suddenly because my car didn't make it through the intersection fast enough. I was told that my turbo boost was bad.…
ODI 11132214
Engine · Vehicle Speed Control
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford explorer. While driving 30 mph, the vehicle stalled, shut off, and the check engine indicator illuminated. The contact stated that the failure occurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken to crossroads ford of sanford (3251 nc-87, sanford, nc 27332, [redacted]) where the contact was informed that the throttle body needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer…
ODI 11121216
Engine
While driving on highway, lost power and speed dropped. It was like engine stopped working properly. Had to pull off road, it was so scary on highway to loose power not to mention dangerous!!! Check engine light came on. After taking to ford dealership, found out that ecoboost turbo had blown and seized up.
ODI 11089077
Engine · Exhaust System
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford explorer. While operating the vehicle, there was an odor being emitted from the exhaust that caused the contact to feel nauseous and dizzy. The vehicle was taken to barber ford (640 e 8th st. Holland, michigan 49423) on three separate occasions to have the voluntary ford exhaust campaign completed. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of…
ODI 11084196
Engine
Oil is collecting at my air intake. I have replace the pcv valve but it is still leaking oil onto my air filter. This is also causing fumes in the vehicle.
ODI 11180108
Electrical System · Engine · Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford explorer. While driving various speeds with the accelerator pedal depressed, the vehicle stalled and the oil pressure and power train wrench warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was unable to start on the first attempt. The failure recurred over three times. The contact noticed the failure after she depressed the accelerator pedal after a complete stop. The local dealer (gulf…
ODI 11041955
Engine
An exhaust odor repeatedly occurred in the cabin while the vehicle was accelerating.
ODI 11024031
Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System · Power Train
(re)starting august 1, 2017, while driving, the vehicle would suddenly and without warning decelerate, with no response from the gas pedal. Ford calls this their "limp home mode." the wrench icon warning would display and the entire vehicle would shudder until it was put in park and turned off. Usually, it would resume normal operations after being restarted, however, on one occasion, it took three attempts to…
ODI 11020395
Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System
Turbo gone bad - car began making loud rattle noise when started. Noise would subside some after a few minutes. Car has been very slow to accelerate, whenever it's being driven, over the last few months. Have to really press down all the way on the gas in order to keep it going. The mpg have been steadily declining as well over the last few months. Dealer told me it's a "turbo problem". Was told that 180 other 2012…
ODI 11005480
Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System · Unknown Or Other
I abruptly accelerated around a car that maneuvered infront of me and my interior cabin was filled with an nauseating exhaust smell. I got a headache, light headed, and pulled over, because i was starting to get dizzy and develop headaches. This occurred on a highway, and nearly killed me. I am furious.
ODI 10994567
Engine
Turbo failure while driving, large loss of power and potential for an accident. Turbo charger failed on my 2.0l ecoboost engine at 58,000 miles. Turbo failed while in traffic and caused very poor performance and could have easily caused a wreck. Turbo failure does not create a check engine light or give any indication that is has failed other than a large loss of power and the engine continues to run. Turbo failure…
ODI 10995323
Engine
Our 2012 ford explorer has a heavy fuel smell in the cabin after driving for more that a few minutes. It seems to be getting worse as time passes.
ODI 10994559
Engine
Rotten egg/sulfur smell inside cabin/occupant area coming from vents when engine under heavy load such as going up hill or coming onto highway and rpm's increase, accelerating at higher speeds to merge into traffic from off ramp. Noticed more when ac is on. Bought vehicle used from a local car dealer in feb of 2017
ODI 11023828
Engine
We have noticed intermittent odors in the cabin. Sulphur smelling odor after accelerating quickly (for example passing, merging). It happens when the heat is on, or off. It has happened intermittently for as long as we can recall however the smell is now (approx. The last year) noticeable just about any time we do highway driving. It almost exclusively happens on the highway. On the infrequent occasion that i need…
ODI 10955182
Electrical System · Engine · Steering
Drove about 2 miles in the morning while turning onto the interstate ramp the steering locked up would not go over 30mph, suv started to smoke while the temperature gauge never changed inside of the vehicle. Lucky to not have caused a major accident. After having vehicle towed, per the mechanic the computer system is fried, motor valves melted, and all spark plugs need to be replaced. This suv is only a 2012 and…
Fire reported
ODI 10925105
Engine · Power Train · Vehicle Speed Control
While driving the vehicle suddenly power would be lost. When applying more pressure to the accelerator, no usable power was present and the vehicle could not exceed 30 mph. After this occurred on the 4th time on a subsequent day, the "engine" symbol was displayed. Currently the vehicle is at a ford dealership to troubleshoot the problem. On two occasions this discrepancy with acceleration and functionality of…
ODI 10923895
Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford explorer. The contact stated that there was an abnormal fuel odor while operating the vehicle. The check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel odor could not be diagnosed; however, the check engine indicator failure was diagnosed as an air filter needing to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure…
ODI 10954436
Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford explorer. While driving 35 mph, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the purge valve was leaking and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 53,128.
ODI 10924249
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford explorer. While driving 70 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.
ODI 10903789
Engine · Power Train
My 2012 ford explorer would all of a sudden sound like it was slipping out of gear while driving. I would lose all control of the accelerator & vehicle would idle very rough. The "wrench" light would appear on the dash display. I would have to drift over to the side of the road, turn the vehicle off, & then re-start the vehicle. This happened without warning & became more frequent. Dealership replaced the throttle…
ODI 10949795